Method for adaptation parameter set reference and constraints in coded video stream

ABSTRACT

A method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor, including: obtaining from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; obtaining a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; obtaining at least one video coding layer (VCL) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; decoding the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and outputting the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/954,096, filed on Dec. 27, 2019, in the United States Patent & Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to video coding and decoding, and more specifically, to adaptation parameter set reference and constraints in a coded video stream.

BACKGROUND

Video coding and decoding using inter-picture prediction with motion compensation has been known. Uncompressed digital video can consist of a series of pictures, each picture having a spatial dimension of, for example, 1920×1080 luminance samples and associated chrominance samples. The series of pictures can have a fixed or variable picture rate (informally also known as frame rate), of, for example 60 pictures per second or 60 Hz. Uncompressed video has significant bitrate requirements. For example, 1080p60 4:2:0 video at 8 bit per sample (1920×1080 luminance sample resolution at 60 Hz frame rate) requires close to 1.5 Gbit/s bandwidth. An hour of such video requires more than 600 GByte of storage space.

One purpose of video coding and decoding can be the reduction of redundancy in the input video signal, through compression. Compression can help reducing aforementioned bandwidth or storage space requirements, in some cases by two orders of magnitude or more. Both lossless and lossy compression, as well as a combination thereof can be employed. Lossless compression refers to techniques where an exact copy of the original signal can be reconstructed from the compressed original signal. When using lossy compression, the reconstructed signal may not be identical to the original signal, but the distortion between original and reconstructed signal is small enough to make the reconstructed signal useful for the intended application. In the case of video, lossy compression is widely employed. The amount of distortion tolerated depends on the application; for example, users of certain consumer streaming applications may tolerate higher distortion than users of television contribution applications. The compression ratio achievable can reflect that: higher allowable/tolerable distortion can yield higher compression ratios.

A video encoder and decoder can utilize techniques from several broad categories, including, for example, motion compensation, transform, quantization, and entropy coding, some of which will be introduced below.

Historically, video encoders and decoders tended to operate on a given picture size that was, in most cases, defined and stayed constant for a coded video sequence (CVS), Group of Pictures (GOP), or a similar multi-picture timeframe. For example, in MPEG-2, system designs are known to change the horizontal resolution (and, thereby, the picture size) dependent on factors such as activity of the scene, but only at I pictures, hence typically for a GOP. The resampling of reference pictures for use of different resolutions within a CVS is known, for example, from ITU-T Rec. H.263 Annex P. However, here the picture size does not change, only the reference pictures are being resampled, resulting potentially in only parts of the picture canvas being used (in case of downsampling), or only parts of the scene being captured (in case of upsampling). Further, H.263 Annex Q allows the resampling of an individual macroblock by a factor of two (in each dimension), upward or downward. Again, the picture size remains the same. The size of a macroblock is fixed in H.263, and therefore does not need to be signaled.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided a method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor, including: obtaining from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; obtaining a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; obtaining at least one video coding layer (VCL) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; decoding the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and outputting the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit.

In an embodiment, there is provided a device for decoding an encoded video bitstream, including: at least one memory configured to store program code; and at least one processor configured to read the program code and operate as instructed by the program code, the program code including: first obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; second obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; third obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain at least one video coding layer (VCL) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; decoding code configured to cause the at least one processor to decode the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and output code configured to cause the at least one processor to output the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit.

In an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions including: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device for decoding an encoded video bitstream, cause the one or more processors to: obtain from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; obtain a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; obtain at least one video coding layer (VCL) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; decode the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and output the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, the nature, and various advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of a communication system in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of a communication system in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of a decoder in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of an encoder in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5E are schematic illustrations of options for signaling ARC parameters in accordance with an embodiment, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6B are schematic illustration of examples of syntax tables in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example of prediction structure for scalability with adaptive resolution change, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of a syntax table in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of parsing and decoding POC cycle per access unit and access unit count value, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a video bitstream structure including multi-layered sub-pictures, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a display of the selected sub-picture with an enhanced resolution, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a decoding and display process for a video bitstream including multi-layered sub-pictures, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of 360 video display with an enhancement layer of a sub-picture, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an example of a layout information of sub-pictures and its corresponding layer and picture prediction structure, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an example of a layout information of sub-pictures and its corresponding layer and picture prediction structure, with spatial scalability modality of local region, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an example of a syntax table for sub-picture layout information, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an example of a syntax table of SEI message for sub-picture layout information, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an example of a syntax table to indicate output layers and profile/tier/level information for each output layer set, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an example of a syntax table to indicate output layer mode on for each output layer set, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an example of a syntax table to indicate the present subpicture of each layer for each output layer set, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a bitstream conformance requirement in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an example process for decoding an encoded video bitstream in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a computer system in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a communication system (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) may include at least two terminals (110-120) interconnected via a network (150). For unidirectional transmission of data, a first terminal (110) may code video data at a local location for transmission to the other terminal (120) via the network (150). The second terminal (120) may receive the coded video data of the other terminal from the network (150), decode the coded data and display the recovered video data. Unidirectional data transmission may be common in media serving applications and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a second pair of terminals (130, 140) provided to support bidirectional transmission of coded video that may occur, for example, during videoconferencing. For bidirectional transmission of data, each terminal (130, 140) may code video data captured at a local location for transmission to the other terminal via the network (150). Each terminal (130, 140) also may receive the coded video data transmitted by the other terminal, may decode the coded data and may display the recovered video data at a local display device.

In FIG. 1, the terminals (110-140) may be illustrated as servers, personal computers and smart phones but the principles of the present disclosure may be not so limited. Embodiments of the present disclosure find application with laptop computers, tablet computers, media players and/or dedicated video conferencing equipment. The network (150) represents any number of networks that convey coded video data among the terminals (110-140), including for example wireline and/or wireless communication networks. The communication network (150) may exchange data in circuit-switched and/or packet-switched channels. Representative networks include telecommunications networks, local area networks, wide area networks and/or the Internet. For the purposes of the present discussion, the architecture and topology of the network (150) may be immaterial to the operation of the present disclosure unless explained herein below.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as an example for an application for the disclosed subject matter, the placement of a video encoder and decoder in a streaming environment. The disclosed subject matter can be equally applicable to other video enabled applications, including, for example, video conferencing, digital TV, storing of compressed video on digital media including CD, DVD, memory stick and the like, and so on.

A streaming system may include a capture subsystem (213), that can include a video source (201), for example a digital camera, creating a for example uncompressed video sample stream (202). That sample stream (202), depicted as a bold line to emphasize a high data volume when compared to encoded video bitstreams, can be processed by an encoder (203) coupled to the camera (201). The encoder (203) can include hardware, software, or a combination thereof to enable or implement aspects of the disclosed subject matter as described in more detail below. The encoded video bitstream (204), depicted as a thin line to emphasize the lower data volume when compared to the sample stream, can be stored on a streaming server (205) for future use. One or more streaming clients (206, 208) can access the streaming server (205) to retrieve copies (207, 209) of the encoded video bitstream (204). A client (206) can include a video decoder (210) which decodes the incoming copy of the encoded video bitstream (207) and creates an outgoing video sample stream (211) that can be rendered on a display (212) or other rendering device (not depicted). In some streaming systems, the video bitstreams (204, 207, 209) can be encoded according to certain video coding/compression standards. Examples of those standards include ITU-T Recommendation H.265. Under development is a video coding standard informally known as Versatile Video Coding or VVC. The disclosed subject matter may be used in the context of VVC.

FIG. 3 may be a functional block diagram of a video decoder (210) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A receiver (310) may receive one or more codec video sequences to be decoded by the decoder (210); in the same or another embodiment, one coded video sequence at a time, where the decoding of each coded video sequence is independent from other coded video sequences. The coded video sequence may be received from a channel (312), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device which stores the encoded video data. The receiver (310) may receive the encoded video data with other data, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillary data streams, that may be forwarded to their respective using entities (not depicted). The receiver (310) may separate the coded video sequence from the other data. To combat network jitter, a buffer memory (315) may be coupled in between receiver (310) and entropy decoder/parser (320) (“parser” henceforth). When receiver (310) is receiving data from a store/forward device of sufficient bandwidth and controllability, or from an isosychronous network, the buffer (315) may not be needed, or can be small. For use on best effort packet networks such as the Internet, the buffer (315) may be required, can be comparatively large and can advantageously of adaptive size.

The video decoder (210) may include a parser (320) to reconstruct symbols (321) from the entropy coded video sequence. Categories of those symbols include information used to manage operation of the decoder (210), and potentially information to control a rendering device such as a display (212) that is not an integral part of the decoder but can be coupled to it, as was shown in FIG. 3. The control information for the rendering device(s) may be in the form of Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI messages) or Video Usability Information (VUI) parameter set fragments (not depicted). The parser (320) may parse and/or entropy-decode the coded video sequence received. The coding of the coded video sequence can be in accordance with a video coding technology or standard, and can follow principles well known to a person skilled in the art, including variable length coding, Huffman coding, arithmetic coding with or without context sensitivity, and so forth. The parser (320) may extract from the coded video sequence, a set of subgroup parameters for at least one of the subgroups of pixels in the video decoder, based upon at least one parameter corresponding to the group. Subgroups can include Groups of Pictures (GOPs), pictures, sub-pictures, tiles, slices, bricks, macroblocks, Coding Tree Units (CTUs) Coding Units (CUs), blocks, Transform Units (TUs), Prediction Units (PUs) and so forth. A tile may indicate a rectangular region of CU/CTUs within a particular tile column and row in a picture. A brick may indicate a rectangular region of CU/CTU rows within a particular tile. A slice may indicate one or more bricks of a picture, which are contained in an NAL unit. A sub-picture may indicate an rectangular region of one or more slices in a picture. The entropy decoder/parser may also extract from the coded video sequence information such as transform coefficients, quantizer parameter values, motion vectors, and so forth.

The parser (320) may perform entropy decoding and/or parsing operation on the video sequence received from the buffer (315), so to create symbols (321).

Reconstruction of the symbols (321) can involve multiple different units depending on the type of the coded video picture or parts thereof (such as: inter and intra picture, inter and intra block), and other factors. Which units are involved, and how, can be controlled by the subgroup control information that was parsed from the coded video sequence by the parser (320). The flow of such subgroup control information between the parser (320) and the multiple units below is not depicted for clarity.

Beyond the functional blocks already mentioned, decoder 210 can be conceptually subdivided into a number of functional units as described below. In a practical implementation operating under commercial constraints, many of these units interact closely with each other and can, at least partly, be integrated into each other. However, for the purpose of describing the disclosed subject matter, the conceptual subdivision into the functional units below is appropriate.

A first unit is the scaler and/or inverse transform unit (351). The scaler and/or inverse transform unit (351) receives quantized transform coefficient as well as control information, including which transform to use, block size, quantization factor, quantization scaling matrices, etc. as symbol(s)(321) from the parser (320). It can output blocks comprising sample values, that can be input into aggregator (355).

In some cases, the output samples of the scaler and/or inverse transform (351) can pertain to an intra coded block; that is: a block that is not using predictive information from previously reconstructed pictures, but can use predictive information from previously reconstructed parts of the current picture. Such predictive information can be provided by an intra picture prediction unit (352). In some cases, the intra picture prediction unit (352) generates a block of the same size and shape of the block under reconstruction, using surrounding already reconstructed information fetched from the current (partly reconstructed) picture (358). The aggregator (355), in some cases, adds, on a per sample basis, the prediction information the intra prediction unit (352) has generated to the output sample information as provided by the scaler and/or inverse transform unit (351).

In other cases, the output samples of the scaler and/or inverse transform unit (351) can pertain to an inter coded, and potentially motion compensated block. In such a case, a Motion Compensation Prediction unit (353) can access reference picture memory (357) to fetch samples used for prediction. After motion compensating the fetched samples in accordance with the symbols (321) pertaining to the block, these samples can be added by the aggregator (355) to the output of the scaler and/or inverse transform unit (in this case called the residual samples or residual signal) so to generate output sample information. The addresses within the reference picture memory form where the motion compensation unit fetches prediction samples can be controlled by motion vectors, available to the motion compensation unit in the form of symbols (321) that can have, for example X, Y, and reference picture components. Motion compensation also can include interpolation of sample values as fetched from the reference picture memory when sub-sample exact motion vectors are in use, motion vector prediction mechanisms, and so forth.

The output samples of the aggregator (355) can be subject to various loop filtering techniques in the loop filter unit (356). Video compression technologies can include in-loop filter technologies that are controlled by parameters included in the coded video bitstream and made available to the loop filter unit (356) as symbols (321) from the parser (320), but can also be responsive to meta-information obtained during the decoding of previous (in decoding order) parts of the coded picture or coded video sequence, as well as responsive to previously reconstructed and loop-filtered sample values.

The output of the loop filter unit (356) can be a sample stream that can be output to the render device (212) as well as stored in the reference picture memory for use in future inter-picture prediction.

Certain coded pictures, once fully reconstructed, can be used as reference pictures for future prediction. Once a coded picture is fully reconstructed and the coded picture has been identified as a reference picture (by, for example, parser (320)), the current reference picture (358) can become part of the reference picture buffer (357), and a fresh current picture memory can be reallocated before commencing the reconstruction of the following coded picture.

The video decoder 210 may perform decoding operations according to a predetermined video compression technology that may be documented in a standard, such as ITU-T Rec. H.265. The coded video sequence may conform to a syntax specified by the video compression technology or standard being used, in the sense that it adheres to the syntax of the video compression technology or standard, as specified in the video compression technology document or standard and specifically in the profiles document therein. Also necessary for compliance can be that the complexity of the coded video sequence is within bounds as defined by the level of the video compression technology or standard. In some cases, levels restrict the maximum picture size, maximum frame rate, maximum reconstruction sample rate (measured in, for example mega samples per second), maximum reference picture size, and so on. Limits set by levels can, in some cases, be further restricted through Hypothetical Reference Decoder (HRD) specifications and metadata for HRD buffer management signaled in the coded video sequence.

In an embodiment, the receiver (310) may receive additional (redundant) data with the encoded video. The additional data may be included as part of the coded video sequence(s). The additional data may be used by the video decoder (210) to properly decode the data and/or to more accurately reconstruct the original video data. Additional data can be in the form of, for example, temporal, spatial, or SNR enhancement layers, redundant slices, redundant pictures, forward error correction codes, and so on.

FIG. 4 may be a functional block diagram of a video encoder (203) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The encoder (203) may receive video samples from a video source (201) (that is not part of the encoder) that may capture video image(s) to be coded by the encoder (203).

The video source (201) may provide the source video sequence to be coded by the encoder (203) in the form of a digital video sample stream that can be of any suitable bit depth (for example: 8 bit, 10 bit, 12 bit, . . . ), any color space (for example, BT.601 Y CrCB, RGB, . . . ) and any suitable sampling structure (for example Y CrCb 4:2:0, Y CrCb 4:4:4). In a media serving system, the video source (201) may be a storage device storing previously prepared video. In a videoconferencing system, the video source (203) may be a camera that captures local image information as a video sequence. Video data may be provided as a plurality of individual pictures that impart motion when viewed in sequence. The pictures themselves may be organized as a spatial array of pixels, wherein each pixel can comprise one or more sample depending on the sampling structure, color space, etc. in use. A person skilled in the art can readily understand the relationship between pixels and samples. The description below focusses on samples.

According to an embodiment, the encoder (203) may code and compress the pictures of the source video sequence into a coded video sequence (443) in real time or under any other time constraints as required by the application. Enforcing appropriate coding speed is one function of Controller (450). Controller controls other functional units as described below and is functionally coupled to these units. The coupling is not depicted for clarity. Parameters set by controller can include rate control related parameters (picture skip, quantizer, lambda value of rate-distortion optimization techniques, . . . ), picture size, group of pictures (GOP) layout, maximum motion vector search range, and so forth. A person skilled in the art can readily identify other functions of controller (450) as they may pertain to video encoder (203) optimized for a certain system design.

Some video encoders operate in what a person skilled in the are readily recognizes as a “coding loop”. As an oversimplified description, a coding loop can consist of the encoding part of an encoder (430) (“source coder” henceforth) (responsible for creating symbols based on an input picture to be coded, and a reference picture(s)), and a (local) decoder (433) embedded in the encoder (203) that reconstructs the symbols to create the sample data a (remote) decoder also would create (as any compression between symbols and coded video bitstream is lossless in the video compression technologies considered in the disclosed subject matter). That reconstructed sample stream is input to the reference picture memory (434). As the decoding of a symbol stream leads to bit-exact results independent of decoder location (local or remote), the reference picture buffer content is also bit exact between local encoder and remote encoder. In other words, the prediction part of an encoder “sees” as reference picture samples exactly the same sample values as a decoder would “see” when using prediction during decoding. This fundamental principle of reference picture synchronicity (and resulting drift, if synchronicity cannot be maintained, for example because of channel errors) is well known to a person skilled in the art.

The operation of the “local” decoder (433) can be the same as of a “remote” decoder (210), which has already been described in detail above in conjunction with FIG. 3. Briefly referring also to FIG. 4, however, as symbols are available and encoding and/or decoding of symbols to a coded video sequence by entropy coder (445) and parser (320) can be lossless, the entropy decoding parts of decoder (210), including channel (312), receiver (310), buffer (315), and parser (320) may not be fully implemented in local decoder (433).

An observation that can be made at this point is that any decoder technology except the parsing and/or entropy decoding that is present in a decoder also necessarily needs to be present, in substantially identical functional form, in a corresponding encoder. For this reason, the disclosed subject matter focusses on decoder operation. The description of encoder technologies can be abbreviated as they are the inverse of the comprehensively described decoder technologies. Only in certain areas a more detail description is required and provided below.

As part of its operation, the source coder (430) may perform motion compensated predictive coding, which codes an input frame predictively with reference to one or more previously-coded frames from the video sequence that were designated as “reference frames.” In this manner, the coding engine (432) codes differences between pixel blocks of an input frame and pixel blocks of reference frame(s) that may be selected as prediction reference(s) to the input frame.

The local video decoder (433) may decode coded video data of frames that may be designated as reference frames, based on symbols created by the source coder (430). Operations of the coding engine (432) may advantageously be lossy processes. When the coded video data may be decoded at a video decoder (not shown in FIG. 4), the reconstructed video sequence typically may be a replica of the source video sequence with some errors. The local video decoder (433) replicates decoding processes that may be performed by the video decoder on reference frames and may cause reconstructed reference frames to be stored in the reference picture cache (434). In this manner, the encoder (203) may store copies of reconstructed reference frames locally that have common content as the reconstructed reference frames that will be obtained by a far-end video decoder (absent transmission errors).

The predictor (435) may perform prediction searches for the coding engine (432). That is, for a new frame to be coded, the predictor (435) may search the reference picture memory (434) for sample data (as candidate reference pixel blocks) or certain metadata such as reference picture motion vectors, block shapes, and so on, that may serve as an appropriate prediction reference for the new pictures. The predictor (435) may operate on a sample block-by-pixel block basis to find appropriate prediction references. In some cases, as determined by search results obtained by the predictor (435), an input picture may have prediction references drawn from multiple reference pictures stored in the reference picture memory (434).

The controller (450) may manage coding operations of the video coder (430), including, for example, setting of parameters and subgroup parameters used for encoding the video data.

Output of all aforementioned functional units may be subjected to entropy coding in the entropy coder (445). The entropy coder translates the symbols as generated by the various functional units into a coded video sequence, by loss-less compressing the symbols according to technologies known to a person skilled in the art as, for example Huffman coding, variable length coding, arithmetic coding, and so forth.

The transmitter (440) may buffer the coded video sequence(s) as created by the entropy coder (445) to prepare it for transmission via a communication channel (460), which may be a hardware/software link to a storage device which would store the encoded video data. The transmitter (440) may merge coded video data from the video coder (430) with other data to be transmitted, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillary data streams (sources not shown).

The controller (450) may manage operation of the encoder (203). During coding, the controller (450) may assign to each coded picture a certain coded picture type, which may affect the coding techniques that may be applied to the respective picture. For example, pictures often may be assigned as one of the following frame types:

An Intra Picture (I picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded without using any other frame in the sequence as a source of prediction. Some video codecs allow for different types of Intra pictures, including, for example Independent Decoder Refresh Pictures. A person skilled in the art is aware of those variants of I pictures and their respective applications and features.

A Predictive picture (P picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using at most one motion vector and reference index to predict the sample values of each block.

A Bi-directionally Predictive Picture (B Picture) may be one that may be coded and decoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using at most two motion vectors and reference indices to predict the sample values of each block. Similarly, multiple-predictive pictures can use more than two reference pictures and associated metadata for the reconstruction of a single block.

Source pictures commonly may be subdivided spatially into a plurality of sample blocks (for example, blocks of 4×4, 8×8, 4×8, or 16×16 samples each) and coded on a block-by-block basis. Blocks may be coded predictively with reference to other (already coded) blocks as determined by the coding assignment applied to the blocks' respective pictures. For example, blocks of I pictures may be coded non-predictively or they may be coded predictively with reference to already coded blocks of the same picture (spatial prediction or intra prediction). Pixel blocks of P pictures may be coded non-predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one previously coded reference pictures. Blocks of B pictures may be coded non-predictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to one or two previously coded reference pictures.

The video coder (203) may perform coding operations according to a predetermined video coding technology or standard, such as ITU-T Rec. H.265. In its operation, the video coder (203) may perform various compression operations, including predictive coding operations that exploit temporal and spatial redundancies in the input video sequence. The coded video data, therefore, may conform to a syntax specified by the video coding technology or standard being used.

In an embodiment, the transmitter (440) may transmit additional data with the encoded video. The video coder (430) may include such data as part of the coded video sequence. Additional data may comprise temporal/spatial/SNR enhancement layers, other forms of redundant data such as redundant pictures and slices, Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI) messages, Visual Usability Information (VUI) parameter set fragments, and so on.

Recently, compressed domain aggregation or extraction of multiple semantically independent picture parts into a single video picture has gained some attention. In particular, in the context of, for example, 360 coding or certain surveillance applications, multiple semantically independent source pictures (for examples the six cube surface of a cube-projected 360 scene, or individual camera inputs in case of a multi-camera surveillance setup) may require separate adaptive resolution settings to cope with different per-scene activity at a given point in time. In other words, encoders, at a given point in time, may choose to use different resampling factors for different semantically independent pictures that make up the whole 360 or surveillance scene. When combined into a single picture, that, in turn, requires that reference picture resampling is performed, and adaptive resolution coding signaling is available, for parts of a coded picture.

Below, a few terms will be introduced that will be referred to in the remainder of this description.

Sub-Picture may refer to a, in some cases, rectangular arrangement of samples, blocks, macroblocks, coding units, or similar entities that are semantically grouped, and that may be independently coded in changed resolution. One or more sub-pictures may form a picture. One or more coded sub-pictures may form a coded picture. One or more sub-pictures may be assembled into a picture, and one or more sub pictures may be extracted from a picture. In certain environments, one or more coded sub-pictures may be assembled in the compressed domain without transcoding to the sample level into a coded picture, and in the same or other cases, one or more coded sub-pictures may be extracted from a coded picture in the compressed domain.

Adaptive Resolution Change (ARC) may refer to mechanisms that allow the change of resolution of a picture or sub-picture within a coded video sequence, by the means of, for example, reference picture resampling. ARC parameters henceforth refer to the control information required to perform adaptive resolution change, that may include, for example, filter parameters, scaling factors, resolutions of output and/or reference pictures, various control flags, and so forth.

In embodiments coding and decoding may be performed on a single, semantically independent coded video picture. Before describing the implication of coding/decoding of multiple sub pictures with independent ARC parameters and its implied additional complexity, options for signaling ARC parameters shall be described.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5E, shown are several embodiments for signaling ARC parameters. As noted with each of the embodiments, they may have certain advantages and certain disadvantages from a coding efficiency, complexity, and architecture viewpoint. A video coding standard or technology may choose one or more of these embodiments, or options known from related art, for signaling ARC parameters. The embodiments may not be mutually exclusive, and conceivably may be interchanged based on application needs, standards technology involved, or encoder's choice.

Classes of ARC parameters may include:

-   -   Upsample and/or downsample factors, separate or combined in X         and Y dimension.     -   Upsample and/or downsample factors, with an addition of a         temporal dimension, indicating constant speed zoom in/out for a         given number of pictures.     -   Either of the above two may involve the coding of one or more         presumably short syntax elements that may point into a table         containing the factor(s).     -   Resolution, in X or Y dimension, in units of samples, blocks,         macroblocks, coding units (CUs), or any other suitable         granularity, of the input picture, output picture, reference         picture, coded picture, combined or separately. If there is more         than one resolution (such as, for example, one for input         picture, one for reference picture) then, in certain cases, one         set of values may be inferred to from another set of values.         Such could be gated, for example, by the use of flags. For a         more detailed example, see below.     -   “Warping” coordinates akin those used in H.263 Annex P, again in         a suitable granularity as described above. H.263 Annex P defines         one efficient way to code such warping coordinates, but other,         potentially more efficient ways could conceivably also be         devised. For example, the variable length reversible,         “Huffman”-style coding of warping coordinates of Annex P could         be replaced by a suitable length binary coding, where the length         of the binary code word could, for example, be derived from a         maximum picture size, possibly multiplied by a certain factor         and offset by a certain value, so to allow for “warping” outside         of the maximum picture size's boundaries.     -   upsample and/or downsample filter parameters. In embodiments,         there may be only a single filter for upsampling and/or         downsampling. However, in embodiments, it can be desirable to         allow more flexibility in filter design, and that may require to         signaling of filter parameters. Such parameters may be selected         through an index in a list of possible filter designs, the         filter may be fully specified (for example through a list of         filter coefficients, using suitable entropy coding techniques),         the filter may be implicitly selected through upsample and/or         downsample ratios according which in turn are signaled according         to any of the mechanisms mentioned above, and so forth.

Henceforth, the description assumes the coding of a finite set of upsample and/or downsample factors (the same factor to be used in both X and Y dimension), indicated through a codeword. That codeword may be variable length coded, for example using the Ext-Golomb code common for certain syntax elements in video coding specifications such as H.264 and H.265. One suitable mapping of values to upsample and/or downsample factors can, for example, be according to Table 1:

TABLE 1 Codeword Ext-Golomb Code Original/Target resolution 0 1 1/1 1 010 1/1.5 (upscale by 50%) 2 011 1.5/1 (downscale by 50%) 3 00100 1/2 (upscale by 100%) 4 00101 2/1 (downscale by 100%)

Many similar mappings could be devised according to the needs of an application and the capabilities of the up and downscale mechanisms available in a video compression technology or standard. The table could be extended to more values. Values may also be represented by entropy coding mechanisms other than Ext-Golomb codes, for example using binary coding. That may have certain advantages when the resampling factors were of interest outside the video processing engines (encoder and decoder foremost) themselves, for example by MANEs. It should be noted that, for situations where no resolution change is required, an Ext-Golomb code can be chosen that is short; in the table above, only a single bit. That can have a coding efficiency advantage over using binary codes for the most common case.

The number of entries in the table, as well as their semantics, may be fully or partially configurable. For example, the basic outline of the table may be conveyed in a “high” parameter set such as a sequence or decoder parameter set. In embodiments, one or more such tables may be defined in a video coding technology or standard, and may be selected through for example a decoder or sequence parameter set.

Below is described how an upsample and/or downsample factor (ARC information), coded as described above, may be included in a video coding technology or standard syntax. Similar considerations may apply to one, or a few, codewords controlling upsample and/or downsample filters. See below for a discussion when comparatively large amounts of data are required for a filter or other data structures.

As shown in FIG. 5A, H.263 Annex P includes the ARC information (502) in the form of four warping coordinates into the picture header (501), specifically in the H.263 PLUSPTYPE (503) header extension. This can be a sensible design choice when a) there is a picture header available, and b) frequent changes of the ARC information are expected. However, the overhead when using H.263-style signaling can be quite high, and scaling factors may not pertain among picture boundaries as picture header can be of transient nature.

As shown in FIG. 5B, JVCET-M135-v1 includes the ARC reference information (505) (an index) located in a picture parameter set (504), indexing a table (506) including target resolutions that in turn is located inside a sequence parameter set (507). The placement of the possible resolution in a table (506) in the sequence parameter set (507) can, according to verbal statements made by the authors, be justified by using the SPS as an interoperability negotiation point during capability exchange. Resolution can change, within the limits set by the values in the table (506) from picture to picture by referencing the appropriate picture parameter set (504).

Referring to FIGS. 5C-5E, the following embodiments may exist to convey ARC information in a video bitstream. Each of those options has certain advantages over embodiments described above. Embodiments may be simultaneously present in the same video coding technology or standard.

In embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, ARC information (509) such as a resampling (zoom) factor may be present in a slice header, GOP header, tile header, or tile group header. FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment in which tile group header (508) is used. This can be adequate if the ARC information is small, such as a single variable length ue(v) or fixed length codeword of a few bits, for example as shown above. Having the ARC information in a tile group header directly has the additional advantage of the ARC information may be applicable to a sub picture represented by, for example, that tile group, rather than the whole picture. See also below. In addition, even if the video compression technology or standard envisions only whole picture adaptive resolution changes (in contrast to, for example, tile group based adaptive resolution changes), putting the ARC information into the tile group header vis a vis putting it into an H.263-style picture header has certain advantages from an error resilience viewpoint.

In embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D, the ARC information (512) itself may be present in an appropriate parameter set such as, for example, a picture parameter set, header parameter set, tile parameter set, adaptation parameter set, and so forth. FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment in which adaptation parameter set (511) is used. The scope of that parameter set can advantageously be no larger than a picture, for example a tile group. The use of the ARC information is implicit through the activation of the relevant parameter set. For example, when a video coding technology or standard contemplates only picture-based ARC, then a picture parameter set or equivalent may be appropriate.

In embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in FIG. 5E, ARC reference information (513) may be present in a Tile Group header (514) or a similar data structure. That reference information (513) can refer to a subset of ARC information (515) available in a parameter set (516) with a scope beyond a single picture, for example a sequence parameter set, or decoder parameter set.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a tile group header (601) as an exemplary syntax structure of a header applicable to a (possibly rectangular) part of a picture can conditionally contain, a variable length, Exp-Golomb coded syntax element dec_pic_size_idx (602) (depicted in boldface). The presence of this syntax element in the tile group header can be gated on the use of adaptive resolution (603)—here, the value of a flag not depicted in boldface, which means that flag is present in the bitstream at the point where it occurs in the syntax diagram. Whether or not adaptive resolution is in use for this picture or parts thereof can be signaled in any high level syntax structure inside or outside the bitstream. In the example shown, it is signaled in the sequence parameter set as outlined below.

Referring to FIG. 6B, shown is also an excerpt of a sequence parameter set (610). The first syntax element shown is adaptive_pic_resolution_change_flag (611). When true, that flag can indicate the use of adaptive resolution which, in turn may require certain control information. In the example, such control information is conditionally present based on the value of the flag based on the if( ) statement in the parameter set (612) and the tile group header (601).

When adaptive resolution is in use, in this example, coded is an output resolution in units of samples (613). The numeral 613 refers to both output_pic_width_in_luma_samples and output_pic_height_in_luma_samples, which together can define the resolution of the output picture. Elsewhere in a video coding technology or standard, certain restrictions to either value can be defined. For example, a level definition may limit the number of total output samples, which could be the product of the value of those two syntax elements. Also, certain video coding technologies or standards, or external technologies or standards such as, for example, system standards, may limit the numbering range (for example, one or both dimensions must be divisible by a power of 2 number), or the aspect ratio (for example, the width and height must be in a relation such as 4:3 or 16:9). Such restrictions may be introduced to facilitate hardware implementations or for other reasons, and are well known in the art.

In certain applications, it can be advisable that the encoder instructs the decoder to use a certain reference picture size rather than implicitly assume that size to be the output picture size. In this example, the syntax element reference_pic_size_present_flag (614) gates the conditional presence of reference picture dimensions (615) (again, the numeral refers to both width and height).

Finally, shown is a table of possible decoding picture width and heights. Such a table can be expressed, for example, by a table indication (num_dec_pic_size_in_luma_samples_minus1) (616). The “minus1” can refer to the interpretation of the value of that syntax element. For example, if the coded value is zero, one table entry is present. If the value is five, six table entries are present. For each “line” in the table, decoded picture width and height are then included in the syntax (617).

The table entries presented (617) can be indexed using the syntax element dec_pic_size_idx (602) in the tile group header, thereby allowing different decoded sizes—in effect, zoom factors—per tile group.

Certain video coding technologies or standards, for example VP9, support spatial scalability by implementing certain forms of reference picture resampling (signaled quite differently from the disclosed subject matter) in conjunction with temporal scalability, so to enable spatial scalability. In particular, certain reference pictures may be upsampled using ARC-style technologies to a higher resolution to form the base of a spatial enhancement layer. Those upsampled pictures could be refined, using normal prediction mechanisms at the high resolution, so to add detail.

Embodiments discussed herein can be used in such an environment. In certain cases, in the same or another embodiment, a value in the NAL unit header, for example the Temporal ID field, can be used to indicate not only the temporal but also the spatial layer. Doing so may have certain advantages for certain system designs; for example, existing Selected Forwarding Units (SFU) created and optimized for temporal layer selected forwarding based on the NAL unit header Temporal ID value can be used without modification, for scalable environments. In order to enable that, there may be a requirement for a mapping between the coded picture size and the temporal layer is indicated by the temporal ID field in the NAL unit header.

In some video coding technologies, an Access Unit (AU) can refer to coded picture(s), slice(s), tile(s), NAL Unit(s), and so forth, that were captured and composed into a the respective picture, slice, tile, and/or NAL unit bitstream at a given instance in time. That instance in time can be, for example, the composition time.

In HEVC, and certain other video coding technologies, a picture order count (POC) value can be used for indicating a selected reference picture among multiple reference pictures stored in a decoded picture buffer (DPB). When an access unit (AU) includes one or more pictures, slices, or tiles, each picture, slice, or tile belonging to the same AU may carry the same POC value, from which it can be derived that they were created from content of the same composition time. In other words, in a scenario where two pictures/slices/tiles carry the same given POC value, that can be indicative of the two picture/slice/tile belonging to the same AU and having the same composition time. Conversely, two pictures/tiles/slices having different POC values can indicate that those pictures/slices/tiles belong to different AUs and have different composition times.

In embodiments, this rigid relationship can be relaxed in that an access unit can include pictures, slices, or tiles with different POC values. By allowing different POC values within an AU, it becomes possible to use the POC value to identify potentially independently decodable pictures/slices/tiles with identical presentation time. That, in turn, can enable support of multiple scalable layers without a change of reference picture selection signaling, for example reference picture set signaling or reference picture list signaling, as described in more detail below.

It is, however, still desirable to be able to identify the AU a picture/slice/tile belongs to, with respect to other picture/slices/tiles having different POC values, from the POC value alone. This can be achieved, as described below.

In embodiments, an access unit count (AUC) may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, such as NAL unit header, slice header, tile group header, SEI message, parameter set or AU delimiter. The value of AUC may be used to identify which NAL units, pictures, slices, or tiles belong to a given AU. The value of AUC may be corresponding to a distinct composition time instance. The AUC value may be equal to a multiple of the POC value. By diving the POC value by an integer value, the AUC value may be calculated. In certain cases, division operations can place a certain burden on decoder implementations. In such cases, small restrictions in the numbering space of the AUC values may allow substituting the division operation with shift operations. For example, the AUC value may be equal to a Most Significant Bit (MSB) value of the POC value range.

In embodiments, a value of POC cycle per AU (poc_cycle_au) may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, such as NAL unit header, slice header, tile group header, SEI message, parameter set or AU delimiter. The poc_cycle_au may indicate how many different and consecutive POC values can be associated with the same AU. For example, if the value of poc_cycle_au is equal to 4, the pictures, slices or tiles with the POC value equal to 0-3, inclusive, may be associated with the AU with AUC value equal to 0, and the pictures, slices or tiles with POC value equal to 4-7, inclusive, may be associated with the AU with AUC value equal to 1. Hence, the value of AUC may be inferred by dividing the POC value by the value of poc_cycle_au.

In embodiments, the value of poc_cyle_au may be derived from information, located for example in the video parameter set (VPS), that identifies the number of spatial or SNR layers in a coded video sequence. An example of such a possible relationship is briefly described below. While the derivation as described above may save a few bits in the VPS and hence may improve coding efficiency, in some embodiments the poc_cycle_au may be explicitly coded in an appropriate high level syntax structure hierarchically below the video parameter set, so to be able to minimize poc_cycle_au for a given small part of a bitstream such as a picture. This optimization may save more bits than can be saved through the derivation process above because POC values, and/or values of syntax elements indirectly referring to POC, may be coded in low level syntax structures.

In embodiments, FIG. 8 shows an example of syntax tables to signal the syntax element of vps_poc_cycle_au in VPS (or SPS), which indicates the poc_cycle_au used for all picture/slices in a coded video sequence, and the syntax element of slice_poc_cycle_au, which indicates the poc_cycle_au of the current slice, in slice header. If the POC value increases uniformly per AU, vps_contant_poc_cycle_per_au in VPS may be set equal to 1 and vps_poc_cycle_au may be signaled in VPS. In this case, slice_poc_cycle_au may be not explicitly signaled, and the value of AUC for each AU may be calculated by dividing the value of POC by vps_poc_cycle_au. If the POC value does not increase uniformly per AU, vps_contant_poc_cycle_per_au in VPS may be set equal to 0. In this case, vps_access_unit_cnt may be not signaled, while slice_accessunit_cnt may be signaled in slice header for each slice or picture. Each slice or picture may have a different value of slice_access_unit_cnt. The value of AUC for each AU may be calculated by dividing the value of POC by slice_poc_cycle_au.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of the process above. For example, in operation S910, the VPS (or SPS) can be parsed, and it can be determined whether the POC cycle per AU is constant within the coded video sequence at operation S920. If the POC cycle per AU is constant (YES at operation S920), then the value of access unit count for a particular access unit can be calculated from the poc_cycle_au signaled for the coded video sequence and a POC value of the particular access unit at operation S930. If the POC cycle per AU is not constant (NO at operation S920), then then the value of access unit count for a particular access unit can be calculated from the poc_cycle_au signaled at the picture level and the POC value of the particular access unit at operation S940. At operation S950, a new VPS (or SPS) can be parsed.

In embodiments, even though the value of POC of a picture, slice, or tile may be different, the picture, slice, or tile corresponding to an AU with the same AUC value may be associated with the same decoding or output time instance. Hence, without any inter-parsing/decoding dependency across pictures, slices or tiles in the same AU, all or subset of pictures, slices or tiles associated with the same AU may be decoded in parallel, and may be outputted at the same time instance.

In embodiments, even though the value of POC for a picture, slice, or tile may be different, the picture, slice, or tile corresponding to an AU with the same AUC value may be associated with the same composition/display time instance. When the composition time is contained in a container format, even though pictures correspond to different AUs, if the pictures have the same composition time, the pictures can be displayed at the same time instance.

In embodiments, each picture, slice, or tile may have the same temporal identifier (temporal_id) in the same AU. All or a subset of pictures, slices or tiles corresponding to a time instance may be associated with the same temporal sub-layer. In embodiments, each picture, slice, or tile may have the same or a different spatial layer id (layer_id) in the same AU. All or subset of pictures, slices or tiles corresponding to a time instance may be associated with the same or a different spatial layer.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a video sequence structure with combination of temporal_id, layer_id, POC and AUC values with adaptive resolution change. In this example, a picture, slice or tile in the first AU with AUC=0 may have temporal_id=0 and layer_id=0 or 1, while a picture, slice or tile in the second AU with AUC=1 may have temporal_id=1 and layer_id=0 or 1, respectively. The value of POC is increased by 1 per picture regardless of the values of temporal_id and layer_id. In this example, the value of poc_cycle_au can be equal to 2. In embodiments, the value of poc_cycle_au may be set equal to the number of (spatial scalability) layers. In this example, hence, the value of POC is increased by 2, while the value of AUC is increased by 1.

In the above embodiments, all or sub-set of inter-picture or inter-layer prediction structure and reference picture indication may be supported by using the existing reference picture set (RPS) signaling in HEVC or the reference picture list (RPL) signaling. In RPS or RPL, the selected reference picture may be indicated by signaling the value of POC or the delta value of POC between the current picture and the selected reference picture. In embodiments, the RPS and RPL can be used to indicate the inter-picture or inter-layer prediction structure without change of signaling, but with the following restrictions. If the value of temporal_id of a reference picture is greater than the value of temporal_id current picture, the current picture may not use the reference picture for motion compensation or other predictions. If the value of layer_id of a reference picture is greater than the value of layer_id current picture, the current picture may not use the reference picture for motion compensation or other predictions.

In embodiments, the motion vector scaling based on POC difference for temporal motion vector prediction may be disabled across multiple pictures within an access unit. Hence, although each picture may have a different POC value within an access unit, the motion vector is not scaled and used for temporal motion vector prediction within an access unit. This is because a reference picture with a different POC in the same AU is considered a reference picture having the same time instance. Therefore, in the embodiment, the motion vector scaling function may return 1, when the reference picture belongs to the AU associated with the current picture.

In embodiments, the motion vector scaling based on POC difference for temporal motion vector prediction may be optionally disabled across multiple pictures, when the spatial resolution of the reference picture is different from the spatial resolution of the current picture. When the motion vector scaling is allowed, the motion vector is scaled based on both POC difference and the spatial resolution ratio between the current picture and the reference picture.

In embodiments, the motion vector may be scaled based on AUC difference instead of POC difference, for temporal motion vector prediction, especially when the poc_cycle_au has non-uniform value (for example when vps_contant_poc_cycle_per_au==0). Otherwise (for example when vps_contant_poc_cycle_pr_au==1), the motion vector scaling based on AUC difference may be identical to the motion vector scaling based on POC difference.

In embodiments, when the motion vector is scaled based on AUC difference, the reference motion vector in the same AU (with the same AUC value) with the current picture is not scaled based on AUC difference and used for motion vector prediction without scaling or with scaling based on spatial resolution ratio between the current picture and the reference picture.

In embodiments, the AUC value may be used for identifying the boundary of AU and used for hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) operation, which needs input and output timing with AU granularity. In embodiments, the decoded picture with the highest layer in an AU may be outputted for display. The AUC value and the layer_id value can be used for identifying the output picture.

In embodiments, a picture may include of one or more sub-pictures. Each sub-picture may cover a local region or the entire region of the picture. The region supported by a sub-picture may or may not be overlapped with the region supported by another sub-picture. The region covered by one or more sub-pictures may or may not cover the entire region of a picture. If a picture includes a sub-picture, the region supported by the sub-picture may be identical to the region supported by the picture.

In embodiments, a sub-picture may be coded by a coding method similar to the coding method used for the coded picture. A sub-picture may be independently coded or may be coded dependent on another sub-picture or a coded picture. A sub-picture may or may not have any parsing dependency from another sub-picture or a coded picture.

In embodiments, a coded sub-picture may be contained in one or more layers. A coded sub-picture in a layer may have a different spatial resolution. The original sub-picture may be spatially re-sampled (for example up-sampled or down-sampled), coded with different spatial resolution parameters, and contained in a bitstream corresponding to a layer.

In embodiments, a sub-picture with (W, H), where W indicates the width of the sub-picture and H indicates the height of the sub-picture, respectively, may be coded and contained in the coded bitstream corresponding to layer 0, while the up-sampled (or down-sampled) sub-picture from the sub-picture with the original spatial resolution, with (W*S_(w,k), H*S_(h,k)), may be coded and contained in the coded bitstream corresponding to layer k, where S_(w,k), S_(h,k) indicate the resampling ratios, horizontally and vertically. If the values of S_(w,k), S_(h,k) are greater than 1, the resampling may be up-sampling. Whereas, if the values of S_(w,k), S_(h,k) are smaller than 1, the resampling may be down-sampling.

In embodiments, a coded sub-picture in a layer may have a different visual quality from that of the coded sub-picture in another layer in the same sub-picture or different subpicture. For example, sub-picture i in a layer, n, may be coded with the quantization parameter, Q_(i,n), while a sub-picture j in a layer, m, may be coded with the quantization parameter, Q_(j,m).

In embodiments, a coded sub-picture in a layer may be independently decodable, without any parsing or decoding dependency from a coded sub-picture in another layer of the same local region. The sub-picture layer, which can be independently decodable without referencing another sub-picture layer of the same local region, may be the independent sub-picture layer. A coded sub-picture in the independent sub-picture layer may or may not have a decoding or parsing dependency from a previously coded sub-picture in the same sub-picture layer, but the coded sub-picture may not have any dependency from a coded picture in another sub-picture layer.

In embodiments, a coded sub-picture in a layer may be dependently decodable, with any parsing or decoding dependency from a coded sub-picture in another layer of the same local region. The sub-picture layer, which can be dependently decodable with referencing another sub-picture layer of the same local region, may be the dependent sub-picture layer. A coded sub-picture in the dependent sub-picture may reference a coded sub-picture belonging to the same sub-picture, a previously coded sub-picture in the same sub-picture layer, or both reference sub-pictures.

In embodiments, a coded sub-picture may include one or more independent sub-picture layers and one or more dependent sub-picture layers. However, at least one independent sub-picture layer may be present for a coded sub-picture. A value of the layer identifier (layer_id), which may be present in NAL unit header or another high-level syntax structure, of the independent sub-picture layer may be equal to 0. The sub-picture layer with the layer_id equal to 0 may be the base sub-picture layer.

In embodiments, a picture may include one or more foreground sub-pictures and one background sub-picture. The region supported by a background sub-picture may be equal to the region of the picture. The region supported by a foreground sub-picture may be overlapped with the region supported by a background sub-picture. The background sub-picture may be a base sub-picture layer, while the foreground sub-picture may be a non-base (enhancement) sub-picture layer. One or more non-base sub-picture layers may reference the same base layer for decoding. Each non-base sub-picture layer with layer_id equal to a may reference a non-base sub-picture layer with layer_id equal to b, where a is greater than b.

In embodiments, a picture may include one or more foreground sub-pictures with or without a background sub-picture. Each sub-picture may have its own base sub-picture layer and one or more non-base (enhancement) layers. Each base sub-picture layer may be referenced by one or more non-base sub-picture layers. Each non-base sub-picture layer with layer_id equal to a may reference a non-base sub-picture layer with layer_id equal to b, where a is greater than b.

In embodiments, a picture may include one or more foreground sub-pictures with or without a background sub-picture. Each coded sub-picture in a (base or non-base) sub-picture layer may be referenced by one or more non-base layer sub-pictures belonging to the same sub-picture and one or more non-base layer sub-pictures, which are not belonging to the same sub-picture.

In embodiments, a picture may include one or more foreground sub-pictures with or without a background sub-picture. A sub-picture in a layer a may be further partitioned into multiple sub-pictures in the same layer. One or more coded sub-pictures in a layer b may reference the partitioned sub-picture in a layer a.

In embodiments, a coded video sequence (CVS) may be a group of the coded pictures. The CVS may include one or more coded sub-picture sequences (CSPS), where the CSPS may be a group of coded sub-pictures covering the same local region of the picture. A CSPS may have the same or a different temporal resolution than that of the coded video sequence.

In embodiments, a CSPS may be coded and contained in one or more layers. A CSPS may include one or more CSPS layers. Decoding one or more CSPS layers corresponding to a CSPS may reconstruct a sequence of sub-pictures corresponding to the same local region.

In embodiments, the number of CSPS layers corresponding to a CSPS may be identical to or different from the number of CSPS layers corresponding to another CSPS.

In embodiments, a CSPS layer may have a different temporal resolution (e.g. frame rate) from another CSPS layer. The original (uncompressed) sub-picture sequence may be temporally re-sampled (for example up-sampled or down-sampled), coded with different temporal resolution parameters, and contained in a bitstream corresponding to a layer.

In embodiments, a sub-picture sequence with the frame rate, F, may be coded and contained in the coded bitstream corresponding to layer 0, while the temporally up-sampled (or down-sampled) sub-picture sequence from the original sub-picture sequence, with F*S_(t,k), may be coded and contained in the coded bitstream corresponding to layer k, where S_(t,k) indicates the temporal sampling ratio for layer k. If the value of S_(t,k) is greater than 1, the temporal resampling process may be frame rate up conversion. Whereas, if the value of S_(t,k) is smaller than 1, the temporal resampling process may be frame rate down conversion.

In embodiments, when a sub-picture with a CSPS layer a is referenced by a sub-picture with a CSPS layer b for motion compensation or any inter-layer prediction, if the spatial resolution of the CSPS layer a is different from the spatial resolution of the CSPS layer b, decoded pixels in the CSPS layer a are resampled and used for reference. The resampling process may use an up-sampling filtering or a down-sampling filtering.

FIG. 10 shows an example video stream including a background video CSPS with layer_id equal to 0 and multiple foreground CSPS layers. While a coded sub-picture may include one or more CSPS layers, a background region, which does not belong to any foreground CSPS layer, may include a base layer. The base layer may contain a background region and foreground regions, while an enhancement CSPS layer may contain a foreground region. An enhancement CSPS layer may have a better visual quality than the base layer, at the same region. The enhancement CSPS layer may reference the reconstructed pixels and the motion vectors of the base layer, corresponding to the same region.

In embodiments, the video bitstream corresponding to abase layer is contained in a track, while the CSPS layers corresponding to each sub-picture are contained in a separated track, in a video file.

In embodiments, the video bitstream corresponding to abase layer is contained in a track, while CSPS layers with the same layer_id are contained in a separated track. In this example, a track corresponding to a layer k includes CSPS layers corresponding to the layer k, only.

In embodiments, each CSPS layer of each sub-picture is stored in a separate track. Each track may or may not have any parsing or decoding dependency from one or more other tracks.

In embodiments, each track may contain bitstreams corresponding to layer i to layer j of CSPS layers of all or a subset of sub-pictures, where 0<i=<j=<k, k being the highest layer of CSPS.

In embodiments, a picture includes one or more associated media data including depth map, alpha map, 3D geometry data, occupancy map, etc. Such associated timed media data can be divided to one or multiple data sub-stream each of which corresponding to one sub-picture.

FIG. 11 shows an example of video conference based on the multi-layered sub-picture method. In a video stream, one base layer video bitstream corresponding to the background picture and one or more enhancement layer video bitstreams corresponding to foreground sub-pictures are contained. Each enhancement layer video bitstream may correspond to a CSPS layer. In a display, the picture corresponding to the base layer is displayed by default. It contains one or more user's picture in a picture (PIP). When a specific user is selected by a client's control, the enhancement CSPS layer corresponding to the selected user may be decoded and displayed with the enhanced quality or spatial resolution.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of the process above. For example, in operation S1210, a video bitstream with multiple layers can be decoded. In operation S1220, a background region and one or more foreground sub-pictures can be identified. At operation S1230, it can be determined whether a specific sub-picture region, for example one of the foreground sub-pictures, is selected. If a specific sub-picture region is selected (YES at operation S1240), an enhanced sub-picture may be decoded and displayed. If a specific sub-picture region is not selected (NO at operation S1240), the background region may be decoded and displayed

In embodiments, a network middle box (for example a router) may select a subset of layers to send to a user depending on its bandwidth. The picture/subpicture organization may be used for bandwidth adaptation. For instance, if the user doesn't have the bandwidth, the router strips of layers or selects some subpictures due to their importance or based on used setup and this can be done dynamically to adopt to bandwidth.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment relating to a use case of 360 video. When a spherical 360 picture, for example picture 1310, is projected onto a planar picture, the projection 360 picture may be partitioned into multiple sub-pictures as a base layer. For example, the multiple sub-pictures may include a back sub-picture, a top sub-picture, a right sub-picture, a left sub-picture, a forward sub-picture, and a bottom sub-picture. An enhancement layer of a specific sub-picture, for example a forward sub-picture, may be coded and transmitted to a client. A decoder may be able to decode both the base layer including all sub-pictures and an enhancement layer of a selected sub-picture. When the current viewport is identical to the selected sub-picture, the displayed picture may have a higher quality with the decoded sub-picture with the enhancement layer. Otherwise, the decoded picture with the base layer can be displayed, with a lower quality.

In embodiments, any layout information for display may be present in a file, as supplementary information (such as SEI message or metadata). One or more decoded sub-pictures may be relocated and displayed depending on the signaled layout information. The layout information may be signaled by a streaming server or a broadcaster, or may be regenerated by a network entity or a cloud server, or may be determined by a user's customized setting.

In embodiments, when an input picture is divided into one or more (rectangular) sub-region(s), each sub-region may be coded as an independent layer. Each independent layer corresponding to a local region may have a unique layer_id value. For each independent layer, the sub-picture size and location information may be signaled. For example, picture size (width, height), the offset information of the left-top corner (x_offset, y_offset). FIG. 14 shows an example of the layout of divided sub-pictures, its sub-picture size and position information and its corresponding picture prediction structure. The layout information including the sub-picture size(s) and the sub-picture position(s) may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, such as parameter set(s), header of slice or tile group, or SEI message.

In embodiments, each sub-picture corresponding to an independent layer may have its unique POC value within an AU. When a reference picture among pictures stored in DPB is indicated by using syntax element(s) in RPS or RPL structure, the POC value(s) of each sub-picture corresponding to a layer may be used.

In embodiments, in order to indicate the (inter-layer) prediction structure, the layer_id may not be used and the POC (delta) value may be used.

In embodiments, a sub-picture with a POC vale equal to N corresponding to a layer (or a local region) may or may not be used as a reference picture of a sub-picture with a POC value equal to N+K, corresponding to the same layer (or the same local region) for motion compensated prediction. In most cases, the value of the number K may be equal to the maximum number of (independent) layers, which may be identical to the number of sub-regions.

In embodiments, FIG. 15 shows an extended case of FIG. 14. When an input picture is divided into multiple (e.g. four) sub-regions, each local region may be coded with one or more layers. In the case, the number of independent layers may be equal to the number of sub-regions, and one or more layers may correspond to a sub-region. Thus, each sub-region may be coded with one or more independent layer(s) and zero or more dependent layer(s).

In embodiments, in FIG. 15, the input picture may be divided into four sub-regions. As an example, the right-top sub-region may be coded as two layers, which are layer 1 and layer 4, while the right-bottom sub-region may be coded as two layers, which are layer 3 and layer 5. In this case, the layer 4 may reference the layer 1 for motion compensated prediction, while the layer 5 may reference the layer 3 for motion compensation.

In embodiments, in-loop filtering (such as deblocking filtering, adaptive in-loop filtering, reshaper, bilateral filtering or any deep-learning based filtering) across layer boundary may be (optionally) disabled.

In embodiments, motion compensated prediction or intra-block copy across layer boundary may be (optionally) disabled.

In embodiments, boundary padding for motion compensated prediction or in-loop filtering at the boundary of sub-picture may be processed optionally. A flag indicating whether the boundary padding is processed or not may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, such as parameter set(s) (VPS, SPS, PPS, or APS), slice or tile group header, or SEI message.

In embodiments, the layout information of sub-region(s) (or sub-picture(s)) may be signaled in VPS or SPS. FIG. 16A shows an example of the syntax elements in VPS, and FIG. 16B shows an example of the syntax elements in SPS. In this example, vps_sub_picture_dividing_flag is signaled in VPS. The flag may indicate whether input picture(s) are divided into multiple sub-regions or not. When the value of vps_sub_picture_dividing_flag is equal to 0, the input picture(s) in the coded video sequence(s) corresponding to the current VPS may not be divided into multiple sub-regions. In this case, the input picture size may be equal to the coded picture size (pic_width_in_luma_samples, pic_height_in_luma_samples), which is signaled in SPS. When the value of vps_sub_picture_dividing_flag is equal to 1, the input picture(s) may be divided into multiple sub-regions. In this case, the syntax elements vps_full_pic_width_in_luma_samples and vps_full_pic_height_in_luma_samples are signaled in VPS. The values of vps_full_pic_width_in_luma_samples and vps_full_pic_height_in_luma_samples may be equal to the width and height of the input picture(s) respectively.

In embodiments, the values of vps_full_pic_width_in_luma_samples and vps_full_pic_height_in_luma_samples may not be used for decoding, but may be used for composition and display.

In embodiments, when the value of vps_sub_picture_dividing_flag is equal to 1, the syntax elements pic_offset_x and pic_offset_y may be signaled in SPS, which corresponds to (a) specific layer(s). In this case, the coded picture size (pic_width_in_luma_samples, pic_height_in_luma_samples) signaled in SPS may be equal to the width and height of the sub-region corresponding to a specific layer. Also, the position (pic_offset_x, pic_offset_y) of the left-top corner of the sub-region may be signaled in SPS.

In embodiments, the position information (pic_offset_x, pic_offset_y) of the left-top corner of the sub-region may not be used for decoding, but may be used for composition and display.

In embodiments, the layout information (size and position) of all or sub-set sub-region(s) of (an) input picture(s), the dependency information between layer(s) may be signaled in a parameter set or an SEI message. FIG. 17 shows an example of syntax elements to indicate the information of the layout of sub-regions, the dependency between layers, and the relation between a sub-region and one or more layers. In this example, the syntax element num_sub_region indicates the number of (rectangular) sub-regions in the current coded video sequence. the syntax element num_layers indicates the number of layers in the current coded video sequence. The value of num_layers may be equal to or greater than the value of num_sub_region. When any sub-region is coded as a single layer, the value of num_layers may be equal to the value of num_sub_region. When one or more sub-regions are coded as multiple layers, the value of num_layers may be greater than the value of num_sub_region. The syntax element direct_dependency_flag[i][j] indicates the dependency from the j-th layer to the i-th layer. num_layers_for_region[i] indicates the number of layers associated with the i-th sub-region. sub_region_layer_id[i][j] indicates the layer_id of the j-th layer associated with the i-th sub-region. The sub_region_offset_x[i] and sub_region_offset_y[i] indicate the horizontal and vertical location of the left-top corner of the i-th sub-region, respectively. The sub_region_width [i] and sub_region_height[i] indicate the width and height of the i-th sub-region, respectively.

In embodiments, one or more syntax elements that specify the output layer set to indicate one of more layers to be outputted with or without profile tier level information may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, e.g. VPS, DPS, SPS, PPS, APS or SEI message. Referring to FIG. 18, the syntax element num_output_layer_sets indicating the number of output layer set (OLS) in the coded vide sequence referring to the VPS may be signaled in the VPS. For each output layer set, output_layer_flag may be signaled as many as the number of output layers.

In embodiments, output_layer_flag[i] equal to 1 specifies that the i-th layer is output. vps_output_layer_flag[i] equal to 0 specifies that the i-th layer is not output.

In embodiments, one or more syntax elements that specify the profile tier level information for each output layer set may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, e.g. VPS, DPS, SPS, PPS, APS or SEI message. Still referring to FIG. 18, the syntax element num_profile_tile_level indicating the number of profile tier level information per OLS in the coded vide sequence referring to the VPS may be signaled in the VPS. For each output layer set, a set of syntax elements for profile tier level information or an index indicating a specific profile tier level information among entries in the profile tier level information may be signaled as many as the number of output layers.

In embodiments, profile_tier_level_idx[i][j] specifies the index, into the list of profile_tier_level( ) syntax structures in the VPS, of the profile_tier_level( ) syntax structure that applies to the j-th layer of the i-th OLS.

In embodiments, referring to FIG. 19, the syntax elements num_profile_tile_level and/or num_output_layer_sets may be signaled when the number of maximum layers is greater than 1 (vps_max_layers_minus1>0).

In embodiments, referring to FIG. 19, the syntax element vps_output_layers_mode[i] indicating the mode of output layer signaling for the i-th output layer set may be present in VPS.

In embodiments, vps_output_layers_mode[i] equal to 0 specifies that only the highest layer is output with the i-th output layer set. vps_output_layer_mode[i] equal to 1 specifies that all layers are output with the i-th output layer set. vps_output_layer_mode[i] equal to 2 specifies that the layers that are output are the layers with vps_output_layer_flag[i][j] equal to 1 with the i-th output layer set. More values may be reserved.

In embodiments, the output_layer_flag[i][j] may or may not be signaled depending on the value of vps_output_layers_mode[i] for the i-th output layer set.

In embodiments, referring to FIG. 19, the flag vps_ptl_signal_flag[i] may be present for the i-th output layer set. Dependeing the value of vps_ptl_signal_flag[i], the profile tier level information for the i-th output layer set may or may not be signaled.

In embodiments, referring to FIG. 20, the number of subpicture, max_subpics_minus1, in the current CVS may be signaled in a high-level syntax structure, e.g. VPS, DPS, SPS, PPS, APS or SEI message.

In embodiments, referring to FIG. 20, the subpicture identifier, sub_pic_id[i], for the i-th subpicture may be signaled, when the number of subpictures is greater than 1 (max_subpics_minus1>0).

In embodiments, one or more syntax elements indicating the subpicture identifier belonging to each layer of each output layer set may be signaled in VPS. Referring to FIG. 20, the sub_pic_id_layer[i][j][k], which indicates the k-th subpicture present in the j-th layer of the i-th output layer set. With this information, a decoder may recognize which sub-picture may be decoded and outputted for each layer of a specific output layer set.

In embodiments, picture header (PH) may be a syntax structure containing syntax elements that apply to all slices of a coded picture. A picture unit (PU) may be a set of NAL units that are associated with each other according to a specified classification rule, are consecutive in decoding order, and contain exactly one coded picture. A PU may contain a picture header (PH) and one or more video coding layer (VCL) NAL units composing a coded picture.

In embodiments, adaptation parameter set (APS) may be a syntax structure containing syntax elements that may apply to zero or more slices as determined by zero or more syntax elements found in slice headers.

In embodiments, adaptation_parameter_set_id signaled (for example as u(5)) in APS may provide an identifier for the APS for reference by other syntax elements. When ps_params_type is equal to ALF_APS or SCALING_APS, the value of adaptation_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 7, inclusive. When aps_params_type is equal to LMCS_APS, the value of adaptation_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 3, inclusive.

In embodiments, adaptation_parameter_set_id signaled as ue(v) in APS may provide an identifier for the APS for reference by other syntax elements. When ps_params_type is equal to ALF_APS or SCALING_APS, the value of adaptation_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 7*(the max number of layers in the current CVS), inclusive. When aps_params_type is equal to LMCS_APS, the value of adaptation_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 3*(the max number of layers in the current CVS), inclusive.

In embodiments, each APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced, included in at least one AU with temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) less than or equal to the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the coded slice NAL unit that refers it+or provided through external means. When the APS NAL unit is included in an AU, the value of temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the APS NAL unit may be equal to the value of the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the AU including the APS NAL unit.

In embodiments, each APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced, included in at least one AU with temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) equal to 0 or provided through external means. When the APS NAL unit is included in an AU, the value of temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the APS NAL unit may be equal to 0.

In embodiments, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced, included in at least one AU with temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) equal to the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the APS, or provided through external means.

In embodiments, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced, included in at least one AU with temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) equal 0 in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the APS, or provided through external means.

In embodiments, when a flag, no_temporal_sublayer_switching_flag is signaled in a DPS, VPS, SPS or PPS, the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) value of an APS referring to the parameter set containing the flag equal to 1 may be equal to 0, while the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) value of an APS referring to the parameter set containing the flag equal to 1 may be equal to or greater than the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) value of the parameter set.

In embodiments, each APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced, included in at least one AU with temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) less than or equal to the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) of the coded slice NAL unit (or PH NAL unit) that refers it or provided through external means. When the APS NAL unit is included in an AU prior to the AU containing the coded slice NAL unit referring to the APS, a VCL NAL unit enabling a temporal up-layer switching or a VCL NAL unit with nal_unit_type equal to STSA_NUT, which indicates that the picture in the VCL NAL unit may be a step-wise temporal sublayer access (STSA) picture, may not be present subsequent to the APS NAL unit and prior to the coded slice NAL unit referring to the APS. FIG. 21 shows an example on this constraint.

In embodiments, the APS NAL unit and the coded slice NAL unit (and its PH NAL unit) referring to the APS may be included in the same AU.

In embodiments, the APS NAL unit and the STSA NAL unit may be included in the same AU, which may be prior to the coded slice NAL unit (and its PH NAL unit) referring to the APS.

In embodiments, the STSA NAL unit, the APS NAL unit and the coded slice NAL unit (and its PH NAL unit) referring to the APS may be present in the same AU.

In embodiments, the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) value of the VCL NAL unit containing an APS may be equal to the temporal identifier (e.g., TemporalId) value of the prior STSA NAL unit.

In embodiments, the picture order count (POC) value of the APS NAL unit may be equal to or greater than the POC value of the STSA NAL unit. In FIG. 21, the value of POC M of the APS may be equal to or greater than the value of POC L of the STSA NAL unit.

In embodiments, the picture order count (POC) value of the coded slice or PH NAL unit, which refers to the APS NAL unit, may be equal to or greater than the POC value of the referenced APS NAL unit. In FIG. 21, the value of POC M of the VCL NAL unit referring to the APS may be equal to or greater than the value of POC L of the APS NAL unit.

In an embodiment, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced by one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units, included in at least one PU with nuh_layer_id equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the APS, or provided through external means.

In an embodiment, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced by one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units, included in at least one PU with TemporalId equal to the TemporalId of the APS NAL unit and nuh_layer_id equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the PPS, or provided through external means.

In an embodiment, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced by one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units, included in at least one PU with TemporalId equal to 0 and nuh_layer_id equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the PPS, or provided through external means.

In an embodiment, an APS (RBSP) may be available to the decoding process prior to it being referenced by one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units, included in at least one PU with TemporalId equal to 0 and nuh_layer_id equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains one or more PHs or one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the PPS, or provided through external means.

In embodiments, All APS NAL units with a particular value of adaptation_parameter_set_id and a particular value of aps_params_type within a PU, regardless of whether they are prefix or suffix APS NAL units, may have the same content.

In embodiments, regardless of the nuh_layer_id values, APS NAL units may share the same value spaces of adaptation_parameter_set_id and aps_params_type.

In embodiments, the nuh_layer_id value of an APS NAL unit may be equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the coded slice NAL units that refer to the NAL unit that refer to the APS NAL unit.

In an embodiment, when an APS with nuh_layer_id equal to m is referred to by one or more coded slice NAL units with nuh_layer_id equal to n. the layer with nuh_layer_id equal to m may be the same as the layer with nuh_layer_id equal to n or a (direct or indirect) reference layer of the layer with nuh_layer_id equal to m.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart is an example process 2200 for decoding an encoded video bitstream. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 22 may be performed by decoder 210. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 22 may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including decoder 210, such as encoder 203.

As shown in FIG. 22, process 2200 may include obtaining from an encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture (block 2210).

As further shown in FIG. 22, process 2200 may include obtaining a PH NAL unit included in the picture unit (block 2220).

As further shown in FIG. 22, process 2200 may include obtaining at least one VCL NAL unit included in the picture unit (block 2230).

As further shown in FIG. 22, process 2200 may include decoding the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit (block 2240).

As further shown in FIG. 22, process 2200 may include outputting the decoded picture (block 2250).

In embodiments, the APS NAL unit is available to the decoding process prior to being referenced by one or more picture headers (PHs) or one or more coded slice network abstraction layer (NAL) units, included in at least one prediction unit (PU) with nuh_layer_id being equal to the lowest nuh_layer_id value of the more or more coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit in the CVS, which contains the one or more PHs or the one or more coded slice NAL units referring to the APS.

In embodiments, a temporal identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit is greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit.

In embodiments, the temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit may be equal to zero.

In embodiments, a POC of the at least one VCL NAL unit may be greater than or equal to a POC of the APS NAL unit.

In embodiments, a layer identifier of the PH NAL unit and a layer identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit are greater than or equal to a layer identifier of the APS NAL unit.

In embodiments, the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and the APS NAL unit are included in a single access unit

In embodiments, the coded video sequence further includes an STSA NAL unit corresponding to an STSA picture, and the STSA NAL unit is not located between the APS NAL unit and the at least one VCL NAL unit.

In embodiments, the at least one VCL NAL unit, the APS NAL unit, and the STSA NAL unit may be included in a single access unit.

In embodiments, the temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit may be greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the STSA NAL unit.

In embodiments, a picture order count (POC) of the APS NAL unit may be greater than or equal to a POC of the STSA NAL unit.

Although FIG. 22 shows example blocks of process 2200, in some implementations, process 2200 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 22 Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 2200 may be performed in parallel.

Further, the proposed methods may be implemented by processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors or one or more integrated circuits). In one example, the one or more processors execute a program that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium to perform one or more of the proposed methods.

The techniques described above can be implemented as computer software using computer-readable instructions and physically stored in one or more computer-readable media. For example, FIG. 23 shows a computer system 2300 suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

The computer software can be coded using any suitable machine code or computer language, that may be subject to assembly, compilation, linking, or like mechanisms to create code comprising instructions that can be executed directly, or through interpretation, micro-code execution, and the like, by computer central processing units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and the like.

The instructions can be executed on various types of computers or components thereof, including, for example, personal computers, tablet computers, servers, smartphones, gaming devices, internet of things devices, and the like.

The components shown in FIG. 23 for computer system 2300 are exemplary in nature and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the computer software implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Neither should the configuration of components be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of a computer system 2300.

Computer system 2300 may include certain human interface input devices. Such a human interface input device may be responsive to input by one or more human users through, for example, tactile input (such as: keystrokes, swipes, data glove movements), audio input (such as: voice, clapping), visual input (such as: gestures), olfactory input (not depicted). The human interface devices can also be used to capture certain media not necessarily directly related to conscious input by a human, such as audio (such as: speech, music, ambient sound), images (such as: scanned images, photographic images obtain from a still image camera), video (such as two-dimensional video, three-dimensional video including stereoscopic video).

Input human interface devices may include one or more of (only one of each depicted): keyboard 2301, mouse 2302, trackpad 2303, touch screen 2310 and associated graphics adapter 2350, data-glove, joystick 2305, microphone 2306, scanner 2307, camera 2308.

Computer system 2300 may also include certain human interface output devices. Such human interface output devices may be stimulating the senses of one or more human users through, for example, tactile output, sound, light, and smell/taste. Such human interface output devices may include tactile output devices (for example tactile feedback by the touch-screen 2310, data-glove, or joystick 2305, but there can also be tactile feedback devices that do not serve as input devices), audio output devices (such as: speakers 2309, headphones (not depicted)), visual output devices (such as screens 2310 to include cathode ray tube (CRT) screens, liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens, plasma screens, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, each with or without touch-screen input capability, each with or without tactile feedback capability-some of which may be capable to output two dimensional visual output or more than three dimensional output through means such as stereographic output; virtual-reality glasses (not depicted), holographic displays and smoke tanks (not depicted)), and printers (not depicted).

Computer system 2300 can also include human accessible storage devices and their associated media such as optical media including CD/DVD ROM/RW 2320 with CD/DVD or the like media 2321, thumb-drive 2322, removable hard drive or solid state drive 2323, legacy magnetic media such as tape and floppy disc (not depicted), specialized ROM/ASIC/PLD based devices such as security dongles (not depicted), and the like.

Those skilled in the art should also understand that term “computer readable media” as used in connection with the presently disclosed subject matter does not encompass transmission media, carrier waves, or other transitory signals.

Computer system 2300 can also include interface(s) to one or more communication networks (955). Networks can for example be wireless, wireline, optical. Networks can further be local, wide-area, metropolitan, vehicular and industrial, real-time, delay-tolerant, and so on. Examples of networks include local area networks such as Ethernet, wireless LANs, cellular networks to include global systems for mobile communications (GSM), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and the like, TV wireline or wireless wide area digital networks to include cable TV, satellite TV, and terrestrial broadcast TV, vehicular and industrial to include CANBus, and so forth. Certain networks commonly require external network interface adapters (954) that attached to certain general purpose data ports or peripheral buses (949)(such as, for example universal serial bus (USB) ports of the computer system 2300; others are commonly integrated into the core of the computer system 2300 by attachment to a system bus as described below (for example Ethernet interface into a PC computer system or cellular network interface into a smartphone computer system). As an example, network 2355 may be connected to peripheral bus 2349 using network interface 2354. Using any of these networks, computer system 2300 can communicate with other entities. Such communication can be uni-directional, receive only (for example, broadcast TV), uni-directional send-only (for example CANbus to certain CANbus devices), or bi-directional, for example to other computer systems using local or wide area digital networks. Certain protocols and protocol stacks can be used on each of those networks and network interfaces (954) as described above.

Aforementioned human interface devices, human-accessible storage devices, and network interfaces can be attached to a core 2340 of the computer system 2300.

The core 2340 can include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU) 2341, Graphics Processing Units (GPU) 2342, specialized programmable processing units in the form of Field Programmable Gate Areas (FPGA) 2343, hardware accelerators 2344 for certain tasks, and so forth. These devices, along with Read-only memory (ROM) 2345, Random-access memory (RAM) 2346, internal mass storage such as internal non-user accessible hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and the like 2347, may be connected through a system bus 2348. In some computer systems, the system bus 2348 can be accessible in the form of one or more physical plugs to enable extensions by additional CPUs, GPU, and the like. The peripheral devices can be attached either directly to the core's system bus 2348, or through a peripheral bus 2349. Architectures for a peripheral bus include peripheral component interconnect (PCI), USB, and the like.

CPUs 2341, GPUs 2342, FPGAs 2343, and accelerators 2344 can execute certain instructions that, in combination, can make up the aforementioned computer code. That computer code can be stored in ROM 2345 or RAM 2346. Transitional data can be also be stored in RAM 2346, whereas permanent data can be stored for example, in the internal mass storage 2347. Fast storage and retrieve to any of the memory devices can be enabled through the use of cache memory, that can be closely associated with one or more CPU 2341, GPU 2342, mass storage 2347, ROM 2345, RAM 2346, and the like.

The computer readable media can have computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code can be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present disclosure, or they can be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

As an example and not byway of limitation, the computer system having architecture 2300, and specifically the core 2340 can provide functionality as a result of processor(s) (including CPUs, GPUs, FPGA, accelerators, and the like) executing software embodied in one or more tangible, computer-readable media. Such computer-readable media can be media associated with user-accessible mass storage as introduced above, as well as certain storage of the core 2340 that are of non-transitory nature, such as core-internal mass storage 2347 or ROM 2345. The software implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure can be stored in such devices and executed by core 2340. A computer-readable medium can include one or more memory devices or chips, according to particular needs. The software can cause the core 2340 and specifically the processors therein (including CPU, GPU, FPGA, and the like) to execute particular processes or particular parts of particular processes described herein, including defining data structures stored in RAM 2346 and modifying such data structures according to the processes defined by the software. In addition or as an alternative, the computer system can provide functionality as a result of logic hardwired or otherwise embodied in a circuit (for example: accelerator 2344), which can operate in place of or together with software to execute particular processes or particular parts of particular processes described herein. Reference to software can encompass logic, and vice versa, where appropriate. Reference to a computer-readable media can encompass a circuit (such as an integrated circuit (IC)) storing software for execution, a circuit embodying logic for execution, or both, where appropriate. The present disclosure encompasses any suitable combination of hardware and software.

While this disclosure has described several exemplary embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and various substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor, the method comprising: obtaining from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence (CVS) including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; obtaining a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; obtaining at least one video coding layer (VCL) NAL unit included in the picture unit; decoding the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and outputting the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor prior to being referenced by one or more picture headers (PHs) or one or more coded slice NAL units included in the CVS, and wherein the APS NAL unit is included in at least one prediction unit (PU) having a nuh_layer_id value that is equal to a lowest nuh_layer_id value of the more or more coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a temporal identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit is greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a picture order count (POC) of the at least one VCL NAL unit is greater than or equal to a POC of the APS NAL unit.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a layer identifier of the PH NAL unit and a layer identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit are greater than or equal to a layer identifier of the APS NAL unit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and the APS NAL unit are included in a single access unit.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the coded video sequence further comprises a step-wise temporal sublayer access (STSA) NAL unit corresponding to an STSA picture, and wherein the STSA NAL unit is not located between the APS NAL unit and the at least one VCL NAL unit.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, the APS NAL unit, and the STSA NAL unit are included in a single access unit.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein a temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit is greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the STSA NAL unit.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein a picture order count (POC) of the APS NAL unit is greater than or equal to a POC of the STSA NAL unit.
 10. A device for decoding an encoded video bitstream, the device comprising: at least one memory configured to store program code; and at least one processor configured to read the program code and operate as instructed by the program code, the program code including: first obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; second obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; third obtaining code configured to cause the at least one processor to obtain at least one video coding layer (VCL) NAL unit included in the picture unit; decoding code configured to cause the at least one processor to decode the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and output code configured to cause the at least one processor to output the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor before the at least one VCL NAL unit, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the at least one processor prior to being referenced by one or more picture headers (PHs) or one or more coded slice NAL units included in the CVS, and wherein the APS NAL unit is included in at least one prediction unit (PU) having a nuh_layer_id value that is equal to a lowest nuh_layer_id value of the more or more coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein a temporal identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit is greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein a picture order count (POC) of the at least one VCL NAL unit is greater than or equal to a POC of the APS NAL unit.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein a layer identifier of the PH NAL unit and a layer identifier of the at least one VCL NAL unit are greater than or equal to a layer identifier of the APS NAL unit.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and the APS NAL unit are included in a single access unit.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the coded video sequence further comprises a step-wise temporal sublayer access (STSA) NAL unit corresponding to an STSA picture, and wherein the STSA NAL unit is not located between the APS NAL unit and the at least one VCL NAL unit.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, the APS NAL unit, and the STSA NAL unit are included in a single access unit.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein a temporal identifier of the APS NAL unit is greater than or equal to a temporal identifier of the STSA NAL unit.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein a picture order count (POC) of the APS NAL unit is greater than or equal to a POC of the STSA NAL unit.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device for decoding an encoded video bitstream, cause the one or more processors to: obtain from the encoded video bitstream a coded video sequence including a picture unit corresponding to a coded picture; obtain a picture header (PH) network abstraction layer (NAL) unit included in the picture unit; obtain at least one video coding layer (VCL) NAL unit included in the picture unit; decode the coded picture based on the PH NAL unit, the at least one VCL NAL unit, and an adaptation parameter set (APS) included in an APS NAL unit obtained from the coded video sequence; and output the decoded picture, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the one or more processors before the at least one VCL NAL unit, wherein the APS NAL unit is available to the one or more processors prior to being referenced by one or more picture headers (PHs) or one or more coded slice NAL units included in the CVS, and wherein the APS NAL unit is included in at least one prediction unit (PU) having a nuh_layer_id value that is equal to a lowest nuh_layer_id value of the more or more coded slice NAL units that refer to the APS NAL unit. 